Assembly Calls for Urgent Action on National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
The London Assembly has unanimously passed a motion expressing alarm over ongoing delays and the recent resignations affecting the national inquiry into grooming gangs. The Assembly emphasised that victims of these serious crimes are at risk of being let down if the inquiry fails to proceed swiftly.
Concerns About Delays
In a motion presented by Susan Hall AM and seconded by Alessandro Georgiou AM, the Assembly noted that it has now been nearly ten months since the former Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced the inquiry, which is yet to appoint a chair or set terms of reference. The Assembly described these delays as deeply troubling, particularly considering the impact on the victims.
Historical Context
The Assembly also pointed out the longstanding shortcomings of local authorities in London regarding incidents of child sexual exploitation. This acknowledgment is crucial, as the implications of such failures continue to resonate within affected communities and call into question the adequacy of institutional responses.
Status of Victims and Victims’ Support
During a recent statement, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley highlighted that London has witnessed a “steady stream” of child sexual exploitation cases. In response, the Assembly welcomed the Metropolitan Police’s initiative to review 9,000 cases from the past 15 years. This analysis aims to clarify the scope of group-based sexual violence and assess how effectively these incidents have been addressed.
Call to Action
In their motion, the Assembly urged the Mayor to take immediate action. Key demands include:
- Pressing the government to fast-track the national inquiry into grooming gangs;
- Ensuring that the Metropolitan Police are adequately funded to expedite the review of all 9,000 child sexual exploitation cases, with progress reports presented to the Assembly;
- Utilising the full resources of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the Greater London Authority (GLA) to aid the Met in uncovering this rampant criminal activity.
After deliberations, the motion received unanimous approval from Assembly members, reflecting a collective commitment to ensuring that the inquiry does not falter and that the voices of victims are heard.
Background
This inquiry is a critical element in addressing the systemic failures that have allowed child sexual exploitation to persist. The Assembly’s actions highlight the need for urgent reforms and robust support for victims, a matter of growing concern in UK society.
Source: official statements, news agencies, and public reports.
https://www.london.gov.uk/motions/justice-grooming-gang-victims
